By Nate Smelle
Published Feb. 15 2018
In celebration of all things winter the Municipality of Dysart et al is once again hosting its annual Frost Festival.
Taking place on Saturday Feb. 17 in Haliburton’s Head Lake Park this year’s event offers a wide variety of winter activities for people of all ages.
The Haliburton and District Lions Club will kick off the day by serving breakfast in the park starting at 10 a.m. Dysart’s recreation program co-ordinator Andrea Mueller said the full day of family fun will feature ice climbing with Base Camp 35; horse-drawn wagon rides; fat bike demonstrations; broomball and hot chocolate; dogsled rides; snowshoe games; pony rides; bannock and s’mores by the fire; art workshops and much more.
Year after year Mueller is impressed to see how the community comes together to improve the event.
“The Frost Festival provides people with the opportunity to try something new and to get out and experience fun winter activities” said Mueller.
“There are many organizations and volunteers who devote a lot of time to make this festival fun for the family. This is a great way to get some fresh air and experience winter.”
According to Mueller there will also be a public skating oval and a live demonstration provided by equine farrier Elli Nash.
For the fifth year in a row she said the Lions Club will be raising funds for the Hospital for Sick Children’s Garron Family Cancer Centre and the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation through its annual Polar Bear Challenge. Those wishing to join the fundraising campaign and brave the icy waters of Head Lake can register prior to the festival or between 10 a.m. and noon on the day of the event. The plunge itself will take place at 1 p.m. in Haliburton’s Head Lake Park.
“As always the Lions Club Polar Bear Challenge is always fun to watch” Mueller said.
The Frost Festival will wrap up with a lasagna dinner to be served from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Room of the Haliburton United Church.
With so much going on throughout the day Mueller said the event would not be possible without the many volunteers working hard to make it a success.
She said there are still several positions available for anyone interested in getting involved in the Frost Festival as a volunteer. Realizing that not everyone is available to spend the entire day helping at the festival Mueller said people can volunteer anywhere from one hour to the whole day.
“We still have a variety of roles to be filled” she said.
“Some [volunteer positions available] include helping with the dogsled rides parking duties and helping with the pony rides.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities; or share ideas regarding winter activities that could be included in next year’s festival contact Dysart’s recreation program co-ordinator Andrea Mueller at 705-457-1740 ext.35. For a full schedule of events at the 2018 Frost Festival visit www.frostfestival.ca.
